Life-saving device for aeroplanes and ships



Oct. 29, 1929. p BALLAZ 1,733,932

LIFE SAVING DEVICE FOR AEROPLANES AND SHIPS Filed March 26, 1928 T 57 H I INVENTOR Peter3at% WHEY Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIFE-SAVING DEVICE FOR AEROPLANES AND SHIPS Application filed March 26, 1928.

This invention relates to a new and useful life saving device especially adapted for use by aviators and passengers of aeroplanes when flying over water in event of a forced landing in the water for the purpose of preventing the drowning of the aviators and passengers.

The object of the invention is to provide a life saving device embodying a buoyant 0 member and a compartment adapted to accommodate aviators and passengers of an aeroplane which will enable the occupants of my Improved device to float on the water until rescued by a passing steamer or the like.

Further objects will become apparent in the accompanying description, appended claims and in the following drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved life saving device.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is anenlarged vertical central sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary inside view thereof, showing in particular the means of holding the door in a closed or locked position.

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevational view of the removable cap as embodied in my im- 0 proved device.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary central sectional view of my improved device, showing in particular a further development thereof.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

As here embodied my improved device comprises a buoyant member 10 substantially of circular shape hollow construction and provided with a plurality of side extended elements 11, of hollow shape construction, horizontally disposed from the main portion thereof. The spout 12 is connected to and extended from the buoyant member 10 for the purpose of inflating the buoyant member with air. The cap 13 is removably attached to the spout as a means of retaining the air in the said buoyant member.

The upper portion 14 of the buoyant member 10 is provided with a central raised ele- 0 ment 15 having secured thereto a cushion 16 Serial No. 264,696.

for the purpose of providing comfortable seating accommodations.

The cover member 17 is of hollow semispherical shape construction and is secured at its lower edge to the upper portion of the buoyant member 10, as a means of providing an enclosure for the buoyant member, for the purpose of protecting the occupants of my improved device from the elements of the weather.

A vent pipe 18 of tubular shape construction is secured to and extended vertically from the upper portion of the cover member 17, as a means of permitting air for ventilation purposes to enter my improved device. The cap member 19 is hinged as at 20 to the upper extremity of the vent pipe 18 and is a apted to enclose or cover the open end of the said vent pipe. The stiff member 21 is secured to the cap member and is extended downwardly therefrom through the vent pipe and has secured thereto at its lower free extremity a handle member 22. The latter described construction is such as will permit the occupants of my improved device to open or readily and easily enclose or cover the open extremity of the vent pipe for the purpose of preventing rain, snow or the like from entering my improved device through the said vent pipe.

The cap 23 is provided with a threaded portion 24 adapted to removably engage in the threaded portion 25 of the vent pipe 18. The cap 23 has secured thereto and extended therefrom a handle member 26, for the purpose of readily removably attaching the cap to the lower open extremity of the vent pipe for the purpose of preventing rain or snow from entering my improved device.

A door 27 is hinged as at 28 to the cover 90 member 17 and is adapted to enclose or cover an opening formed therein, which is adapted to permit entrance to my improved device. A clip member 29 is pivotally attached at one extremity, as at 30 by a bolt or the like secured to the cover member 17 in proximity to the door 27. A second clip member 30 is pivotally attached at one extremity to the above mentioned bolt 30 and is provided with a free extremity 31 of hook shape construction adapted to removably engage the hook shape free extremity 32 of a clip member 33 pivotally attached at one extremity theerof to the bolt 34 secured to the cover member 17 The above described construction is such as will permit the clip members to securely hold the door in a closed position when engaged as clearly shown in Fig. 4 and also such as will permit the door to be opened when the said clip members are pivotally disengaged as designated by the reference numerals 29', 30 and 33'.

A pneumatic whistle 35 is secured to the lower inner portion of the vent pipe 18 and has connected thereto by means of the flexible tubular member 36, a rubber hose or the like, a bulb 37 positioned within easy reach of the occupants of my improved device. The above described construction is such as will permit the occupants to blow the whistle as a means of providing a suitable sound signal for the purpose of attracting the attention of nearby persons, with a view towards rescue.

A box like structure 38 of any desired shape or contour is secured to and horizontally disposed from the vent pipe 18 directly above the cover member 17. A flash light 39 of any desired suitable size and capacity, and which comprises a suitable casing adapted to hold dry cells or dry batteries operatively connected to an electric bulb suitably mounted in a socket mounted in the said casing and provided with a suitable lens 40 Suitable electric wires 41 and 42 are operatively connected to the above mentioned flash light, battery and are extended therefrom and has secured thereto at their extended extremities a suitable electric ligbt switch 43 positioned within easy and convenient reach of the occupants of my improved device. The flash li ht 39 is secured to the support 44 secured to the upper portion of the cover member 17 and is vertically extended therefrom partially engaging in the structure 38. The opposite sides 45 and 46 are of semitransparent or translucent material and may have affixed thereto any desired figures, identification insignias, such as flags or the like.

The above described construction is such as will permit the said flags to be illuminated for the purpose of attracting the attention of nearby persons with a view towards rescue.

The cover member 17 has formed therein openings suitably covered with any desired transparent material 47, as a means of providing visual outside investigation to the occupants of my improved device.

The cover member 17 has secured thereto as at 49 at its lower portion a plurality of ring members 48, adapted to provide suitable handle members for the purpose of permitting persons to board my improved device when floating in the water.

A pair of flexible members 50 and 51 preferably straps or the like, encircle the buoyant member 10 and engage through loop members 52 and 53 secured to the said buoyant members. The flexible members 50 and 51 are provided with extended elements 50 and 51', respectively, somewhat loosely suspended therefrom by the buckles 54 and 55, respectively. The above described construction is such as will permit a person to readily seize my improved device, or to attach same to his body as is highly desirable when jumping from an aeroplane into the water.

In Fig. 6, of the accompanying drawing, I have shown receiver 56 of continuous ring shape construction and of channel shape transverse section secured to the underside of the above mentioned upper portion 14 of the said buoyant member 10. The receiver 56 is positioned co-axially relative to the said upper portion 14. and is adapted to receive and, hold the ballast members 57 of ball shape construction, having secured thereto and extended therefrom through an elongated circular slot 58 formed in the upper portion 14, the flexible members 59. The free upper extremities of the flexible memhere 59 are provided with ring elements 60 or handles adapted to permit the occupants of my improved device to easily and readily position the said ballast members as may be most advantageous to secure the equilibrium of my improved device in a rough sea, for the purpose of retaining my improved device in an upright position. The rings frictionally hold their positions so as to hold the ballast as positioned.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a lite saving device of the class described, a buoyant member provided with an upper portion having a raised central element arranged to provide seating accommo dations for a number of persons, a receiver of continuous ring shape secured on the underside of the said upper portion, said upper portion being provided with a circular slot, flexible members extending thru the said slot. rings attached on the upper ends of the flexible members, ballast members attached on the lower ends of the flexible members and resting in the receiver, and said rings frictionally hold their positions for holding the ballast as positioned.

2. In a life saving device of the class described, a buoyant member provided with an upper portion having a raised central element arranged to provide seating accommodations for a number of persons, a receiver of continuous ring shape secured on the underside of the said upper portion, said upper portion being provided with a circular slot, flexible members extending thru the said slot, rings attached on the upper ends of the flexible members, ballast members attached on the lower ends of the flexible members and resting in the receiver.

In testimon signature.

y whereof I have aflixed my PETER BALLAZ. 

